The 1st Annual Pranashama Yoga Scholarship Contest was a Great Success!

Thank you to all the applicants of the Pranashama Yoga Institute's 1st Annual Scholarship Contest 2012! There were 85+ entries and each of them was more inspiring then the next! It was a very tough selection process which kept us up late at night for many weeks. We are so proud of our Pranashama Yoga family and the transformations they have experienced over the years!

Congratulations to our winners and great job to everyone who was also awarded $500 scholarship just for entering! That is our way of saying, keep up the great work. You are just beginning the journey and are on the right track.

We look foward to meeting you all at a live 30 Day Yoga Training Transformation retreat program in 2012!

Looking for Inspiration to Begin Your Journey with Us?

Read some of the thousands of success stories and testimonials from past 30 day yoga training participants.

I use to hate myself. I used food to numb my desires. I cycled
through the trinities of drugs, sex, alcohol, and then religion,
fasting, and chastity. Ad nauseam. Nothing seemed powerful enough to
touch my heart. I vacillated between indulging in my flesh, and clinging
to rigorous programs that helped me feel I had somehow transcended any
psychical need. And all the while I had no concept of self-love. No idea
that it was possible to heal, to feel whole and accepted and beautiful,
just as I was, whether heavy or skinny, indulgent or restrained.
When I was 18 I bought my first yoga video. I had no concept of yoga
philosophy on a heart level, but physically, I began to feel felt a
shift. It was about a year (after various yoga classes at my local gym,
but no real introduction to philosophy) I was led me to one of Dashama’s
YouTube videos.
I remember it was raining outside and I had been crying. I was greeted
with Dashama’s contagious smile and the words “Namste. You are loved.”
This video led me to sign-up for her 30 Day Yoga Challenge, and for an
hour every day I nurtured my body in practice, and my soul through her
“Journey to Joyful” book. The time was ripe and I was ready for real
change. I cried every day of practicing. I shed weight. I shed layers of
emotional wounds. Long-forgotten desire came to the surface, and began
to feel – for the first time in years – alive.
After the 30 Day challenge and much healing, I knew I would further my
practice. As yoga expanded my own self-love,I felt desire to serve
others expand. My own path began to blossom, and I felt a gentle, yet
certain call to Dashama’s 200 hour training program.
I trust that the Universe knows what is best for me, and my healing will
continue to unfold in perfection. This is merely my way of affirming my
own heart – my own desires, by sending my intention out, and waiting in
joyful expectation for the next journey LOVE calls me to.
Namaste.

Dawn Hale

The Divine Love of the Universe reached out a hand in the form of yoga
to rescue me from a 20 year addiction to drugs an alcohol.
Yoga helped me find and value myself. I have been in recovery for
over 15 years and for the past five years I've been employed as a Drug
and Alcohol Counselor. I also volunteer at two local halfway homes for
women suffering from addiction as well as speak and write on the topic. I
reach over 200 people a year who suffer from dependency and have seen
the miracle of recovery bring new life to many of them from all ages and
backgrounds.
As part of my curriculum as the Intensive Outpatient Co-coordinator
I have incorporated both yoga and meditation as teaching tools and
practices for healing.
Sadly, I have not had the time nor the money to become a trained
yoga instructor. I just pass on what I know. HOWEVER, my employer has
offered to give me the time off for training IF I win this scholarship!
I feel that once again Divine Love is providing an answer to prayers. I
want to continue to help people discover and accept their true nature
which is in itself Love. I am so grateful to yoga and to this
opportunity to help change the world one addict at a time.

Pranashama yoga has brought more happiness to my life than I can
truly share.
It is the Pot of gold at the end of my rainbow :)
Has brought me home to myself. Given me back my body, freed the shackles
of my mind, lifting my spirit towards enlightened heavenly shores of
golden flowing oceans. Visions of which I have seen & felt like the
radiant sun shining through the oceans surface. I have re-found my
faith, through physical practice I have begun to overcome an 8 year
battle with ongoing chronic pain, I have been filled with pure bliss at
the beauty of creation in action.
I love feeling Sooo alive as if liquid diamonds course through my veins,
my heart. I love the gentle fight that can only be won with stillness
of mind, golden radiant heart & strong physical pose.
I cannot Thank you enough for bringing this gift to me, nothing can ever
repay the gift I have been given except to be able to give such a gift
myself.
I am humbled, honoured & awed. Finally there is light at the end of
my tunnel, so dark & long after these soul destroying years from
being only 28 where everyday has been a living hell on earth :(. Only
now do I see the first light of heaven. I want nothing more than to
teach, to spend my life immersed in yoga & so iimmersed in love.
Namaste

Yoga has been an essential part of my life since I was all of three
years old. As a child i suffered many illnesses and was extremely weak.
There was a point of time where the doctors had given up hope of my
recovery. My parents come from a spiritual background in India and as a
consequence of their understanding, decided to put me into a Yogic
School thinking it might improve my health condition. After that there
was no looking back!My life has never been the same. Yoga as a subtle
force has always guided me in every decision I have made in life. It
gives me a certain determination and resolution to move from strength to
strength. By profession i am a lawyer, yet the magnanimity of Yoga
pervades me and has pushed me to become a Yoga teacher two years back. I
love sharing this joy with all my loved ones and travel and teach
within India. My journey now leads me to enhance these very skills and
go deeper by pursuing the Pranashama course and when i saw this
opportunity i simply had to apply because i know this is just what i
need. Thank you.

Since 13 I wanted to be a psychologist. Studying the mind and
our actions have always been of interest in that it became clear how we
chose our suffering and struggles. Daily I am made to be conscious of
this choice and look at how fear can embody the tinniest of my detailed
existence.
When I first became Reiki attuned at 20, I had the opportunity to
receive Yoga from my Reiki master. During those sessions it became clear
that the road to healing was also a choice, a difficult one, but far
more valuable than the place of suffering and insecurity upon which I
was 'living.'
Furthermore, it was evident to me that the mind is whole when in union
with body and spirit and the essential tenant of Yoga was a living
meditation for my life. I wanted to shout from the mountaintops...WE CAN
HEAL OURSELVES!
I graduated with a PsyD in clinical psychology and have yet to be able
to sustain myself. Currently at 31, I am working for a farmer selling
his local, organic beans and grains at the farmer's markets in NYC. The
pay barely covers anything and I am supported graciously by my family.
The goal of receiving this doctorate was to utilize my Western education
and integrate Eastern philosophy, and homeopathic medicine into my
professional practice.
After completing my dissertation on Reiki and Yoga, my journey has been
starved as I am unable to integrate these practices into my work, as I
am not working in the field. I have been met with a lot of fear and
conservatism. Sure, I can branch out on my own, but the entire purpose
of this education was to change already established systems into working
more efficiently! Such systems are a plague on our society, and keep us
in the feared unknown and ability of taking control of our health and
well being.
This is the change I feel called to do.
I have been unable to afford an appropriate Yoga training, and in my
search have been trading my services for this sacred knowledge,
sporadically and with mediocre success.
The opportunity to become Yoga certified would engender the chance to
blend my degree and transform this sacred tradition into our modern
society. I envision changing healthcare and school systems, hospitals
and VA centers. As a Yoga instructor I can incorporate my sound
education in psychology and conduct research to reach such systems of
'care' and actually change them in a way that empowers each individual
to change themselves.
I know that this is a long road, and every step has been met with
challenges, but I remain inspired by the force and committed to the
process.
My seeking spirit will not abandon it's cause!
I know our healthcare is to be integrated and power is to be given to
its people!
WE CAN HEAL OURSELVES, and the tools of Yoga, meditation, homeopathic
medicine and humanistic psychology are to be the warriors of this
mission!
Please, join my cause and allow me to make such a necessary step not for
myself, but for all of us.
Thank you for reading.
Blessings and love for you.
Dr. Beth Gordon, PsyD

Here is a letter I wrote to a friend I lost to cancer.
“Last year while living in the Sierra Mountains I chose to kick off your
birthday with an early morning yoga class. At the beginning of the
class the instructor asked us to think of a friend to dedicate the
experience too. She told us to picture that friend floating on a fluffy
cloud sitting at the front of our mat and to choose a feeling that we
wanted to send them that they may be in need of. After manifesting the
feeling in our 3rd eye chakra, we were told to push it down into our
hearts, open our chest, wrap it in love and send it to you from our
heart chakra as a beaming blue light.
Many poses and some tears later, when the class was coming to an end,
she asked us to remember that friend we dedicated this class too. ‘Now
picture them again on that fluffy cloud at the front of our mats, but
now look at their face and see that the corners of their mouths are
turned up in smile, they have received our gifts’. She then asked us to
send you back on your way to wherever you would be at that moment~
John, I sent you happiness, peace, rest and my love.
I felt so lucky to have walked into that class, not knowing how to spend
that emotional day and finding a way to feel connected to you. That
instructor couldn't of known and yet said all the right things. I kept
that feeling with me the rest of the day honoring you and your life~
Happy birthday John,
love, your friend, JenA”
Two yrs later, while visiting my stepfather in the hospital, also
suffering from cancer, I saw a poster on the wall advertising Yoga
Therapy for cancer patients. At that moment a light went on in my mind,
and heart, and I found my desired purpose.
The journey I’ve had with my yoga practice has helped provide clarity,
strength and healing throughout my life. I would be grateful for this
opportunity to deepen my practice and further my awareness and
enlightenment so I can share and help others through the powerful
benefits and love of yoga.

I use to hate myself. I used food to numb my desires. I cycled
through the trinities of drugs, sex, alcohol, and then religion,
fasting, and chastity. Ad nauseam. Nothing seemed powerful enough to
touch my heart. I vacillated between indulging in my flesh, and clinging
to rigorous programs that helped me feel I had somehow transcended any
psychical need. And all the while I had no concept of self-love. No idea
that it was possible to heal, to feel whole and accepted and beautiful,
just as I was, whether heavy or skinny, indulgent or restrained.
When I was 18 I bought my first yoga video. I had no concept of yoga
philosophy on a heart level, but physically, I began to feel felt a
shift. It was about a year (after various yoga classes at my local gym,
but no real introduction to philosophy) I was led me to one of Dashama’s
YouTube videos.
I remember it was raining outside and I had been crying. I was greeted
with Dashama’s contagious smile and the words “Namste. You are loved.”
This video led me to sign-up for her 30 Day Yoga Challenge, and for an
hour every day I nurtured my body in practice, and my soul through her
“Journey to Joyful” book. The time was ripe and I was ready for real
change. I cried every day of practicing. I shed weight. I shed layers of
emotional wounds. Long-forgotten desire came to the surface, and began
to feel – for the first time in years – alive.
After the 30 Day challenge and much healing, I knew I would further my
practice. As yoga expanded my own self-love,I felt desire to serve
others expand. My own path began to blossom, and I felt a gentle, yet
certain call to Dashama’s 200 hour training program.
I trust that the Universe knows what is best for me, and my healing will
continue to unfold in perfection. This is merely my way of affirming my
own heart – my own desires, by sending my intention out, and waiting in
joyful expectation for the next journey LOVE calls me to.
Namaste.

When I opened this site I immediately went to the entries page
to read other peoples applications - to determine whether I should
bother doing one myself - would mine be enough? I doubted.
This kind of says it all about me really and the journey I have been on
for some time now.
My struggles have been internal and over time yoga has slowly but surely
been helping me with those. I practice daily as a reminder to myself
that I'm worth the effort! even when I don't feel like I am. I guess
that's what I want to share with others - self worth and a sense of
'lightness' and I really feel yoga brings that out of people - we all
have it inside but I think it often gets buried. I am far from
'finished' where my journey is concerned (and my Inner-Yogi knows this
is exciting!)so every day I practice and I try to be more accepting,
more patient, more aware of the beauty of life and those moments where
you think 'where the hell am I going?' 'What on earth am I doing with my
life???' Yoga reminds me to keep breathing, keep smiling and keep
believing that I'll get there.
I hope we all get where we need to be.
Namaste x x x x

The word Yoga means to join and Asthanga represents the eight
limbs of Yoga. In our culture and society most people only think about
the asana practice when thinking about Yoga but that is only one of the
eight all important limbs of yoga. I am currently a yoga student of
about 8-10 years and I’m also a yoga instructor for 2 years. I have
been running a homeless family shelter for 4 years and I’m working on
completing my second master’s degree as a licensed mental health
counselor. I mention this only because I feel as though I have 8 limbs
which are constantly being tugged and pulled in all directions. Yoga is
where my true self, my atman lies and it’s often times the first limb
that I allow to be tugged off and I let slip out of my grasp. I know
that given the opportunity to attend the Pranashama Yoga Retreat in Bali
I would be able to join all eight of those limbs and truly reach
Samadhi or divine consciousness. It is my goal to one day be able to
incorporate all of my education and trainings and life skills into my
one true passion Yoga. My heart smiles at the idea of being able to
dedicate my whole self towards helping others mentally, physically and
spiritually through the practices and philosophies of Yoga. I know
after spending 30 days in Bali at the Pranashama Teacher Training with
Dashama’s knowledge and instruction my feet would be permanently stuck
to my sticky mat. This trip would give me the knowledge, inspiration
and guidance I would need to make a giant leap forward on my yogic
journey. I can not think of a better place than Bali or instructor than
Dashama to truly experience the meaning of Yoga. We hear the word
Samasthiti in class all the time but do we know the real definition, “A
state of balance”. This retreat and glimpse in to paradise would
undeniably give me and teach me how to show others what Samasthiti
really means. Love and light to all, namaste.

The Divine Love of the Universe reached out a hand in the form of yoga
to rescue me from a 20 year addiction to drugs an alcohol.
Yoga helped me find and value myself. I have been in recovery for
over 15 years and for the past five years I've been employed as a Drug
and Alcohol Counselor. I also volunteer at two local halfway homes for
women suffering from addiction as well as speak and write on the topic. I
reach over 200 people a year who suffer from dependency and have seen
the miracle of recovery bring new life to many of them from all ages and
backgrounds.
As part of my curriculum as the Intensive Outpatient Co-coordinator
I have incorporated both yoga and meditation as teaching tools and
practices for healing.
Sadly, I have not had the time nor the money to become a trained
yoga instructor. I just pass on what I know. HOWEVER, my employer has
offered to give me the time off for training IF I win this scholarship!
I feel that once again Divine Love is providing an answer to prayers. I
want to continue to help people discover and accept their true nature
which is in itself Love. I am so grateful to yoga and to this
opportunity to help change the world one addict at a time.

In 2007 my 3 year old son Isaac was diagnosed with Leukemia. My
husband and I struggled to make ends meet, and stress and bills piled
up. Our marriage ended and I didnt have a lot of family to turn to. My
grandmother who was my best friend had passed a few years before, and my
mother was a struggling alcoholic. On the way home from visiting her, I
was in a bad car accident which left me in physical pain and physical
therapy for six months. I could barely do wall push ups even at the end
of treatment. My therapist recommended yoga and it helped me immensely.
My stress reduced and my muscles grew stronger. In 2010 I lost my mom
due to her drinking and a housefire. Emotionally, I was scarred but yoga
and faith helped me through. I met Dashama on a project for her TV Show
and she taught my son and I healthier eating and sparked his interest
in yoga. He is now cancer free (one year Jan 2012!). Dashama was truly
an inspiration and her teaching of yoga and the way it has literally
transformed my life, and my sons life is proof that not only does it
help you physically, but mentally as well. I am hoping to further my
yoga training so that I may teach in an addiction treatment center and
help those overcome their addictions by strengthening their mind/body
connection.

G'day Pranashama Yoga Institute,
Since 2008 I have been following Dashama and her yoga via youtube. I
have been doing Yoga since I was 16 but I didn't realise the importance
and the advantages Yoga provides until I found Dashama. From then on, I
have been practicing yoga as much as I can. I'm enjoying Vinyasa Flow
and Bikram Yoga the most. Yoga has offered me balance, the practice of
listening, breathing, focusing and loving more. After hearing the
courses Pranashama offer I have prayed and dreamed that I would attend a
Pranashama teacher training course, particularly in Bali for an
additional reason that I have been studying Bahasa Indonesia for several
years now and so this has heightened my passion and desire to be a part
of this joyful experience of Yoga and Bali. I would have attended
Dashama's Bali course this year however, I was unfortunate to join her
due to financial issues and university.
I have also recently come to the idea that I would love to hold yoga
classes here in the western suburbs where I live since there are no yoga
studios. You have to travel by 35-60 mins to get to one of the very few
here. I live near the beach and so I am positive opening a yoga studio
would benefit the people and myself. Having this opportunity to attend a
yoga teacher training course with Pranashama would benefit me in more
ways than I can imagine I'm sure but I also wonder how many more
opportunities I can create after doing a special yoga course such as
this for other people?
I thank each and everyone for giving me this opportunity to write a
small slice of my passion and desire to learn and teach yoga.
All love, health and happineess
Rachael Hayward

14-Name

Katarina Vitas

katarina.vitas@gmail.com

I discovered yoga when I needed it the most. I just looked for
the place to be with my feelings and without any expectations, it turned
out to be the greatest journey. It also helped me to dig deeper, within
myself.
I didn't really understand yoga and its connection to a spirit that
everyone was talking about, but I still kept practicing yoga.Yoga helped
me to learn how to use my breath, to guide it to the places in my body
that had emotional holds and needed to be healed. I learned how to let
go and to simply "be." Yoga helped me love myself more, and to be more
acceptive of my self without judgment. Yoga is an ongoing journey and it
changes my life every day. It heals me. I would love to help others and
to be the part of their healing journey. I would love to help others
discover peace within themselves, joy, to awaken all the hidden
potentials within themselves and to discover the healing love of
yoga.Getting the scholarship would help me financially to attend such an
amazing training with Dashama and will help me on my path to heal
others. And I thank you all who by voting for me and help me to achieve
that.

For most of my life I have been disjointed. I had always had
strife within myself. My junior year of college I decided that the
reason I was so angry was because my heart and my mind were always in a
constant battle with each other, never agreeing on anything and always
pulling me in two directions. This realization made it apparent to me
that I needed these two very important parts of my being to start
accepting, respecting, and loving each other. Otherwise, I knew I would
eventually self destruct. This is when I started meditating and
practicing yoga seriously. When I started this discipline I felt love
and respect for myself for the first time. I felt like a fountain of
love and compassion, flowing forth from me to the world and at the same
time recycling back into myself. Through meditation and yoga I was
finally able to become one being. My heart and my mind together,
grounded as one entity like a tree. This is my meditation. I visualize
my heart and mind connecting then growing down my spine and sprouting
roots that grow deeper and deeper in the earth, so that no matter what
storm comes across I will remain grounded in my being. I pray to receive
this scholarship so that I can become a certified teacher, then being
able to share my love and compassion with those who wish to better
themselves. I want to become a teacher in order to share the great
benefits of Yoga. I have been searching for one year for a school that I
believed was right for me, and when I came to this site I felt that God
wants me to go here. In his divine wisdom and grace I know that he will
help me. Maybe through this scholarship program he will, and if not he
will provide.

Began practicing Yoga February 2009 entering
post-surgery rehabilitation. Considering injuries sustained over the years,
overall health is outstanding. I believe this recovery can be attributed to
yoga. The effects were immediate, contributing to a shift of body, mind and
spirit. Being struck twice by cars while riding a motorcycle, I developed a
rotated pelvis and experienced chronic pain since early seventies. 2003 was
involved in a motorcycle accident, sustaining three cerebral hemorrhages and
severe facial injuries (crown, third eye Chakra). Surgeries over next five
years would include tracheotomy (throat Chakra), right arm, hip, facial and
urethral reconstruction, and recovery from brain injury. A period of
uncertainty, insecurity, instability. Depression crept in. In particular,
2008 during last surgeries to complete urethraplasty (root Chakra). Fitted
with Foley and super-pubic catheter(s) (Sacral Chakra), I became bedridden.
Breathing seriously compromised; weight dropped to 150 lbs. Serum Testosterone
was zero. Prognosis regarding reproductive organs looked grim. Beginning
rehabilitation, advised I had failing liver.
Yoga classes were offered.
Yoga class woke me up. Believe that was due to stimulation of
neurotransmitters. Having been incapacitated, my mood changed immediately.
Began eating five meals building metabolism. Within two weeks was near pain
free. Becoming more proficient reading and writing, comprehension
increased. Being inspired I became
hopeful. Securing Miami apartment
began follow–up on medical concerns.
Pulmonary examine demonstrated lung capacity at 41 %. Prognosis?
Condition would grow worse. Follow-up was 59 % and today near 100 %. Doctor
could not account for this, Acknowledged yoga/breathing as factor, encouraged
to continue practice. Liver now shows complete regeneration. Healing in
regards to Urethraplasty is phenomenal. Testosterone presently high
normal. All functions happily are
normal, Brain MRI(s), .EEG reveal no damage. Subscribing to Dashama’s challenge, am inspired by her spirit.
Continuing practice at Life’s Journey Yoga/Wellness is encouraging. Recovery
attributed to yoga practice. Deeply inspired, knowing wonderful enthusiasm, I enjoy a growing
knowledge, insight and intuition in regards to Yoga. I do not presently feel
qualified to act as an ambassador. Being fulfilled by the Pranashama teaching
experience would lend genuine experience and credibility to that journey.

Life is about healing. I want to learn how to heal myself. Then,
in turn, I want to be able to help others to learn how to heal as well.
I feel as if I have been slowly learning how to heal my own self. Line
upon line my answers have come. Learning I have severe food allergies
came over time. Realizing that my back problems were affecting my whole
body came gradually. But finding that love can heal was the connection
that began to move my mountains.
Yoga has been my quiet place. Prayer and meditation bring me to a
greater understanding of this life and the people within it. And in
slowing down, I feel as if I can begin to move forward at a steady pace.
Health is a gift. And I am beginning to see and feel that gift with a
new illumination. My awareness of self has taken me to a fresh place and
I want to be able to continue this journey. Whether my love for healing
takes me to Texas or to Bali, I will continue searching. My heart is
open and my glass is half full. To have the opportunity to remove
myself, for a time, from the sound of this cage, and to give my ears a
chance to hear a different kind of peace--- that would bring more than a
new light. The experience would be life altering. I hope for a chance
at this opportunity. A crossing of self discovery such as this could
help me to really find that rest that I am searching for.